Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for modifying starches comprising subjecting a non-pregelatinised starch and/or flour to a superheated steam treatment, wherein said superheated steam treatment is carried out in a reaction chamber of a reactor, said reaction chamber having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and wherein the temperature of the superheated steam at the inlet of the reaction chamber is in the range of 150 to 650° C., preferably 250 to 550° C., more preferably 350 to 450° C., and wherein the temperature of the superheated steam at the outlet of the reaction chamber is in the range of 105 to 155° C., preferably 115 to 140° C., more preferably 115 to 125° C. The invention further refers to the starches obtained and baby foods, infant foods, sauces, soups, puddings, dressings, bakery creams, gravies and beverages comprising said starches.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for modifying starches comprising subjecting a non-pregelatinized starch and/or flour to a superheated steam treatment, wherein said superheated steam treatment is carried out in a reaction chamber of a reactor, said reaction chamber having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and wherein the temperature of the superheated steam at the inlet of the reaction chamber is in the range of 150 to 650° C., preferably 250 to 550° C., more preferably 350 to 450° C., and wherein the temperature of the superheated steam at the outlet of the reaction chamber is in the range of 105 to 155° C., preferably 115 to 140° C., more preferably 115 to 125° C. The invention further refers to the starches obtained and baby foods, infant foods, sauces, soups, puddings, dressings, bakery creams, gravies and beverages comprising said starches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a chemically modified polysaccharide, preferably starch, by using a microdevice. It further relates to the use of a microdevice for the chemical reactions of polysaccharides in heterogeneous mixtures. Examples of chemical modifications are acetylation, oxidation, hydroxypropylation and the like.

Abstract: A biopolymer thinning process is provided comprising the steps of (a) mixing a biopolymer substrate with a thinning agent and an alkalizing agent; and (b) drying the mixture of step (a), wherein the thinning agent consists of one or more hypochlorites; and step (a) is carried out at a neutral to alkaline pH and does not involve any artificial heating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a chemically modified polysaccharide, preferably starch, by using a microdevice. It further relates to the use of a microdevice for the chemical reactions of polysaccharides in heterogeneous mixtures. Examples of chemical modifications are acetylation, oxidation, hydroxypropylation and the like.

Abstract: A starch thinning and etherification process is provided comprising the steps of (a) mixing a starch substrate with a thinning agent, an alkalizing agent and an etherification agent; (b) drying the mixture of step (a); and (c) allowing the dried mixture to react with the etherification agent, wherein: the thinning agent consists of one or more hypochlorites; step (a) is carried out at an alkaline pH and does not involve any artificial heating; and step (b) is carried out before the mixture of step (a) reaches the starch substrate's gelatinisation temperature.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for modifying starches comprising subjecting a non-pregelatinised starch and/or flour to a superheated steam treatment, wherein said superheated steam treatment is carried out in a reaction chamber of a reactor, said reaction chamber having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and wherein the temperature of the superheated steam at the inlet of the reaction chamber is in the range of 150 to 650° C., preferably 250 to 550° C., more preferably 350 to 450° C., and wherein the temperature of the superheated steam at the outlet of the reaction chamber is in the range of 105 to 155° C., preferably 115 to 140° C., more preferably 115 to 125° C. The invention further refers to the starches obtained and baby foods, infant foods, sauces, soups, puddings, dressings, bakery creams, gravies and beverages comprising said starches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a starch-based composition, characterized in that it comprises: (a) mixing a starch substrate with sodium perborate; (b) adding water to the mix of step (a) to form a slurry; and (c) pasting the slurry of step (b), provided that the method does not include, between steps (b) and (c), the step of adding an effective amount of hydrolytic enzyme to the slurry. The invention further relates to starch-based compositions prepared in accordance with said method, paper sizing and/or coating compositions comprising said starch-based compositions and paper products treated with said sizing and/or coating compositions.

Abstract: A biopolymer thinning process is provided comprising the steps of (a) mixing a biopolymer substrate with a thinning agent and an alkalizing agent; and (b) drying the mixture of step (a), wherein the thinning agent consists of one or more hypochlorites; and step (a) is carried out at a neutral to alkaline pH and does not involve any artificial heating.

Abstract: A starch thinning and etherification process is provided comprising the steps of (a) mixing a starch substrate with a thinning agent, an alkalizing agent and an etherification agent; (b) drying the mixture of step (a); and (c) allowing the dried mixture to react with the etherification agent, wherein: the thinning agent consists of one or more hypochlorites; step (a) is carried out at an alkaline pH and does not involve any artificial heating; and step (b) is carried out before the mixture of step (a) reaches the starch substrate's gelatinisation temperature.

Abstract: A method for preparing a cationic cross-bonding reagent wherein the amount of cross-bonding impurities is determined and a certain quantity of a cross-bonding agent is added. This cationic cross-bonding reagent is used in a process for preparing cationic cross-bonded starches with tailor-made viscosity and excellent viscosity stability. Products with tailor-made viscosity can be used according to their need in specific applications in the wet-end of papermaking.